Geological Sciences (GSCI/AST) Courses

GSCI 100 Search in Geological Sciences

(3 cr.): Examination of various topics, contemporary issues and problems in earth
sciences. Three hours of lecture per week. Cannot be used to meet requirements for
majors or minors in earth science. No credit given to students having take GSCI 100
or GSCI 101 with the same topic. Course may be repeated one time with a different
topic. Study Area IV. Offered irregularly.

GSCI 101 Search in Geological Sciences with Laboratory

(3 cr.): Examination of various topics, contemporary issues and problems in earth
sciences. Two lectures and one, two-hour lab per week. Cannot be used to meet requirements
for majors or minors in earth science. No credit given to students having taken GSCI
100 or GSCI 101 with the same topic. Course may be repeated one time with a different
topic. Study Area IV. Offered irregularly.

GSCI 102 Earth and the Human Environment

(3 cr.):Topics in geology, meteorology, and astronomy with an emphasis on the relationships
and interconnectedness between the natural environment and human activity. May not
be applied to a major or minor in Earth Sciences. Study Area IV.

AST 112 Search for Life on Other Planets

(3 cr.): Prereq.: MATH 099 or equivalent. Exploration of the solar system and beyond,
using introductory concepts in astronomy, biology, and geology to examine natural
phenomena and address scientific questions about the possibilities of life outside
Earth. May not be applied to a major or minor in Earth Sciences.

AST 113 The Cosmos

(3 cr.): Prereq.: MATH 099 or equivalent. Topics in modern astronomy with an emphasis
on the process of scientific discovery and the scale and evolution of the universe.
May not be applied to a major or minor in Earth Sciences.

GSCI 121 The Dynamic Earth

(3 cr.): Basic concepts of geology and the dynamic processes operating on and within
the earth and how those processes can impact humans. Topics include formation of rocks,
erosion and landscape evolution, plate tectonics, an interpretation of earth processes
from geological data. Volcanic, earthquake, flooding, coastal erosion and landslide
hazards and glaciation are also covered. No credit given to students with credit for
GSCI 131. Study Area IV.

GSCI 125 The Dynamic Earth Lab

(1 cr.): Prereqs.: GSCI 121 (may be taken concurrently). Laboratory investigations
into geology and the dynamic processes operating on and within the earth and how those
processes can impact humans. Topics include minerals and rocks, erosion and landscape
evolution, plate tectonics, an interpretation of earth processes from geological data.
Volcanic, earthquake, flooding, coastal erosion and landslide hazards and glaciation.
No credit given to students with credit for GSCI 135. Study Area IV.

GSCI 129 Introduction to Meteorology

(4 cr.): Prereq.: MATH 099 or placement exam. Introductory course dealing with atmospheric
composition, structure, and basic motions. The nature of high and low pressure systems,
severe weather, how the National Weather Service works. Three lectures and one two-hour
laboratory per week. Study Area IV. Offered every semester.

GSCI 131 Environmental Geoscience

(3 cr.): Investigation of Earth Environmental Systems including streams, lakes, estuaries,
coastal, groundwater, and the physical ocean, as well as the impact of humans on those
environments. Topics will also include material and energy resources, waste disposal,
and climate change. No credit given to students with credit for GSCI 121. Study Area
IV.

GSCI 135 Environmental Geoscience Lab

(1 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 131 (may be taken concurrently). Laboratory investigations
of Earth environmental systems including streams, lakes, estuaries, coastal, groundwater,
and the physical ocean, as well as the impact of humans on those environments. Topics
will also include material and energy resources, water disposal, and climate change.
No credit given to students with credit for GSCI 125. Study Area IV.

GSCI 141 Earth and Life History

(3 cr.): Introduction to the principles and interpretation of Earth history, emphasizing
the evolution of the lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere through geologic time.
Emphasis will be made on the historical aspects of plate tectonics, the geologic development
of North America, and important events in biological evolution. Study Area IV.

GSCI 145 Earth and Life History Lab

(1 cr.): GSCI 141 (may be taken concurrently). Optional laboratory to accompany GSCI
141 Earth and Life History. Introduction to the principles and interpretation of Earth
history, emphasizing the evolution of the lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere through
geologic time. Emphasis will be made on the historical aspects of plate tectonics,
the geologic development of North America, and important events in biological evolution.
Study Area IV.

AST 208 Planetary Astronomy

(4 cr.): Prereq.: MATH 101 or placement exam. Study of the bodies of the solar system,
their motions, compositions, and evolution. Topics will include physical laws of motion
and radiation, comparison of the surfaces, atmospheres, and interiors of solar system
objects, and the formation of the solar system. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory
per week. Study Area IV. Offered every Fall.

AST 209 Stellar and Galactic Astronomy

(4 cr.): Prereq.: MATH 101 or placement exam. Study of stars and galaxies as separate
bodies and members of clusters. Topics will include astrophysical properties of stars
and galaxies, stellar and galactic evolution, and cosmology. Emphasis will be placed
on observational and experimental methods astronomers use to study the universe. Three
lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Study Area IV. Offered every Spring.

GSCI 221 Mineralogy

(4 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 125 or 135, CHEM 161 and 162. Study of minerals, their formation,
occurrence, properties, composition, and classification. Topics include crystal chemistry,
internal crystal structures, optical and other physical properties, identification
of crystal forms and mineral specimens, and an introduction to petrology. Three lectures
and one three-hour laboratory per week. One or more one-day field trips. Offered in
Fall of odd-numbered years.

GSCI 223 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology

(4 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 145, GSCI 290. Study of the processes and patterns of sedimentation
as well as the spatial and temporal distribution of strata. Both ancient and modern
depositional environments will be investigated. Three, one-hour lectures; one, three-hour
lab; and one or more one-day field trips. Offered in the Spring of even-numbered years.

AST 278 Observational Astronomy

(4 cr.): Theory and practice of observational astronomy. Topics include solar and
lunar observation, naked eye observation, and coordinate systems, telescope usage
and design. Two lectures and two two hour labs per week. Fall. Study Area IV. Offered
every Fall.

GSCI 290 Field Methods in Geology

(2 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 125 or 135. Methods and equipment used in field geology, including
use of a Brunton compass, outcrop description and sketching, basic mapping techniques,
sampling methods, notebook maintenance, use of global positioning system (GPS) technology,
geologic maps and cross sections, field safety, and report writing. One, tree-hour
lab per week. Lab sessions will typically involve outdoor activities. Two or more
half-day field trips required. NOTE: Required for all sophomore Earth Science majors.
Offered every Fall.

GSCI 321 Structural Geology

(4 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 125 or 135, GSCI 290 (may be taken concurrently). Study of
the geometry and origin or rock structures that are products of earth deformation.
These include folds and faults, as well as microstructures. Emphasis will be placed
on recognition and interpretation of structures through field and laboratory studies.
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. One or more one-day field trips
are required. Offered in the Fall of even-numbered years.

GSCI 322 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

(4 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 145 and GSCI 221. Study of igneous and metamorphic processes
and environments of formation. Application of chemical principles to the origin of
igneous and metamorphic rocks. Identification and petrographic analysis of rocks will
be emphasized in the laboratory. One or more one-day field trips. Offered in the Spring
of even-numbered years.

GSCI 350 Computer Methods in the Geological Sciences

(3 cr.): Prereq.: One AST or GSCI course at the 300 or 400 level. Application of computers
to problems in geology using applications and techniques commonly used in research
and industry. Topics covered include use of spreadsheets, analysis of data collected
along a traverse, in wells, over a map area, and multivariate data. Applications to
stratigraphic sections, sample locations, mapping, trend surfaces, and clustering.

GSCI 360 Research Methods in the Geological Sciences

(1 cr.) Prereq.: Junior standing as an Earth Science major. Required of all Geological
Sciences majors. Investigation of the process of research, from the scientific method
through writing a scientific proposal. Presentation of research results by report
writing, PowerPoint, and poster presentations will be included. One one-hour class
per week. Offered every Spring.

AST 378 Comparative Planetology

(3 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 121, 131, or AST 208. Study of the surfaces, interiors, and
atmospheres of objects in the solar system with the goal of better understanding the
formation and evolution of planetary bodies both similar to and different from the
Earth. Offered Spring of odd-numbered years.

GSCI 424 Geomorphology

(3 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 125 or 135, or permission of department chair. A systematic
analysis of a wide variety of landforms, with an emphasis on the processes that form
them. Tectonic and climate controls of geomorphic systems are considered as are the
impacts of human activities. Three, one-hour lectures, and one three-hour laboratory
per week. One or more one-day field trips. Offered Fall of odd-numbered years.

GSCI 425 Glacial and Quaternary Geology

(3 cr.): Prereqs: GSCI 125 or 135. Examination of the role of glaciers in Earth's
climate system with a focus on the Quaternary period; the mechanics of glaciers and
their role in large-scale geomorphic change; and the characteristics of the Pleistocene
glacial deposits of southern New England. One or more one-day field trips. Offered
Spring of Odd Numbered years.

GSCI 431 Introduction to Hydrogeology

(4 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 125 or 135, CHEM 161 and 162, MATH 152 (may be taken concurrently)
or permission of department chair. Overview of hydrologic and hydrological factors
controlling the occurrences and dynamics of groundwater. Groundwater chemistry, quality,
and contamination will also be covered. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory
per week. One or more one-day field trips. Offered Spring of odd-numbered years.

GSCI 441 Environmental Geochemistry

(3 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 121 or GSCI 131, and CHEM 161 and CHEM 162, or permission of
instructor. Geochemical principles controlling occurrence and distribution of inorganic
and organic pollutants in the soil and groundwater. Processes involving contaminant
mobility and transport within the critical zone, as well as methods involving contaminant
remediation from the environment will also be covered. Three hours of lecture per
week.

GSCI 450 Environmental and Engineering Geology

(3 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 125 or 135, MATH 115 or 119, or permission of instructor. Geological
factors that control or affect human habitat avoiding, or compensating for geological
hazards. Applied geology from an environmental perspective that focuses on interactions
between humans and Earth surface precesses. Study of natural hazards such as river
flooding, landslides and debris flows, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, coastal hazards.
Surface and ground water use and pollution are also covered. Offered Fall of odd-numbered
years.

GSCI 452 Independent Study in Geological Science

(1 to 6 cr.): Prereq.: Approved plan of study on arrangement with supervising instructor
and approval of department chair. Special work in laboratory, theory, or research
to meet individual requirements in areas not covered by regular curriculum. May be
taken more than once under different topics. Offered on demand.

GSCI 460 Senior Project

(1 to 3 cr.): Prereq.: GSCI 360, Senior standing as an Earth Science major and written
permission of project advisor and Department Chair. Investigation of a topic of current
research interest as determined by the student in consultation with the faculty. Research
technique, critical data evaluation, specialized knowledge, independence and originality
are cultivated as the project develops. A written report and presentation are required.
The Senior Project may span only one semester earning one to three credits, or two
separate semesters for a maximum of six credits. Offered on demand.

AST 470 Extrasolar Planets and Astrobiology

(3 cr.): Prereqs.: AST 208, and BIO 121 or BMS 102/103; or permission of Department
Chair. Exploration of the processes related to planet formation and evolution and
the planetary conditions required for the emergence of life, as well as the astronomical
techniques used to detect extrasolar planets, discern their properties (include potential
habitability), and collect statistics on their occurrence in the universe. Offered
Fall of odd-numbered years.

AST 478 Planetary Image Analysis

(3 cr.): PHYS 126 or permission of department chair. Theory and application of image
analysis to determine the geologic history of solar system objects through examination
of surface morphology and mineralogy as observed in multi- and hyperspectral datasets.

GSCI 480 Internship in Earth Science

(3 cr.): Prereq.: Senior standing and permission of the student's advisor. Students
serving in the program will serve as interns, obtaining outside industrial and/or
research experiences in an environment directly related to their specialization. Internships
may be in any area of astronomy, earth science, geology, meteorology, or planetary
science. Projects will be supervised by one or more department members. Written report
or poster presentation required. Offered on demand.

GSCI 490 Topics in Geological Sciences

(3 cr.): Selected studies in earth science which are not offered presently in the
curriculum of the department. Course may be repeated with different topics. offered
irregularly.